Gaga solidified that assertion on Monday (August 12) by releasing "Applause," the first single off of her upcoming record, ARTPOP — and a self-affirmation of the most epic proportions. Lady Gaga Is Over Critics. The reviews have started to pour in for Gaga's new track, but — good or bad — Mother Monster won't be hearing any of that. As she stated on Twitter Sunday (August 11), Lady Gaga does not truck with music critics: "Dont focus on ANY blogger criticism. Trust the artist bloggers are not critics." Gong! Lady Gaga Wants To Hear The Sound Of Two Hands Clapping. The majority of the song, predictably, features Gaga stressing that she lives "for the applause, applause, applause," asking fans to "put your hands up make'em touch." Yup, Gaga pretty much throws that whole "save your applause for the end" thing to the wind. Lady Gaga Likes To Read, Is A Geek. We already knew that Lady Gaga attended geek camp, but did you know that she also digs nostalgia and enjoys reading? Thanks to "Applause," you do now. Gaga Thinks Of Herself As An Artist. Jay also references Koons, whom Gaga is also reportedly collaborating with on ARTPOP — in his song "Picasso Baby," in which he, like Gaga, equates himself to a famous visual artist. Whether the art world agrees with Gaga's assertion or not, at least the singer is raising awareness about artists like Koons. According to a tweet from the singer, radio stations are currently censoring the word under the false impression that Gaga is uttering another, pejorative word, beginning with a hard "K." And, friends, that word is not "clap."